What Movies Has Anna Kendrick Been In?
Anna Kendrick is one of Hollywood’s most versatile actresses. She’s appeared in teen dramas, comedies, musicals, and she’s even lent her voice to animated movies. Here’s a look at some of Anna Kendrick’s most famous roles.
Anna Kendrick’s career blew up with the ‘Twilight’ franchise
Anna Kendrick’s breakout role was in the 2008 blockbuster Twilight, based on the book of the same name by Stephanie Meyer. In the movie, Kendrick plays Jessica Stanley, a friend of the main character Bella Swan. Jessica is one of Bella’s first friends when she moves to Forks, Washington, but she quickly becomes jealous of the attention Bella receives.
Kendrick reprised her role in the sequels The Twilight Saga: New Moon in 2009, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse in 2010, and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part I in 2011.
‘Up in the Air’
In 2009, Kendrick starred alongside George Clooney in the critically-acclaimed movie Up in the Air. The film centers on Clooney’s character, Ryan Bingham, who works as a “corporate downsizer,” traveling the country to conduct company layoffs. Kendrick plays Natalie Keener, a young, ambitious, straight-laced go-getter, who threatens Bingham’s lifestyle with her new ideas.
Kendrick’s performance received widespread praise and earned her nominations for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Screen Actor’s Guild Awards, and BAFTA Awards.
‘Pitch Perfect’ – Anna Kendrick’s big break
Audiences were introduced to Kendrick’s impressive vocal chops in 2012’s Pitch Perfect. The plot focuses on Barden University’s all-girl acapella group, the Barden Bellas. Kendrick plays Beca, a feisty freshman who joins the group and helps them refresh their look and sound in preparation for the national competition.
Kendrick was part of an ensemble cast that also included Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow, and Skylar Astin, among others. The movie also spawned a successful soundtrack, which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. You might remember Kendrick’s song “Cups” from the soundtrack, which has sold more than 3 million copies and is certified 3x Multiplatinum by the RIAA. Kendrick returned as Beca in the sequels Pitch Perfect 2 in 2015 and Pitch Perfect 3 in 2017.
’50/50′
2011’s 50/50 was inspired by the true story of a writer named Adam (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who is diagnosed with spinal cancer and given a 50 percent survival rate. The movie mixes seriousness with unexpected humor, telling the story of his struggle to beat the disease while maintaining the relationships in his life.
Kendrick has a supporting role as his young, inexperienced therapist at the cancer center, Katherine. She’s a grad student who tries to help Adam cope with his diagnosis, unsuccessfully at first. While their relationship starts out a bit unsteady, they get closer and form a special connection.
‘Into the Woods’
In 2014, Kendrick played Cinderella in Into the Woods, which was based on the 1986 Stephen Sondheim Broadway musical of the same name. In a modern retelling of classic Grimm Fairytales, it tells the story of a childless couple who have been cursed by a spiteful witch. In order to break the curse, the couple must bring the witch magical items from classic fairytales, which include Cinderella’s golden slippers.
This wasn’t the first time Kendrick appeared in one of Sondheim’s pieces. At the age of 18, she had a supporting role in the New York City Opera production of his musical, A Little Night Music.
The ‘Trolls’ franchise
Kendrick first lent her voice to Princess Poppy in DreamWorks’ Trolls in 2016. Princess Poppy is known as the happiest troll ever born and must work with her polar opposite, the pessimistic Branch (voiced by Justin Timberlake) to save their village from destruction. The movie received generally favorable reviews from critics. Kendrick again played Poppy in Trolls 2 World Tour, which was released for digital rental due to the COVID-19 pandemic on April 10, 2020.
Kendrick is currently starring in the Quibi comedy Dummy and Love Life on HBO Max.
